Born in Atalá, Alabama, Jerry McCain (1930-2012) was a harmonica player who marked the blues history, not only for his huge talent but also because he was one of the amplified harmonica innovators, as well as collaborating with the greatest blues names of the time.

From a very young age he became passionate with the harmonica and, as his family were rather poor, he devoted himself to collect scrap metal to get money to buy one. He began playing on the streets and in small bars until, in 1953, he recorded his first album for Trumpet Records. From that moment on, he started to work on an own technique to develop harmonica amplification, becoming one of the greatest blues musicians, especially after he released his song “She’s Tough”.

For many years The King Bees were his backing group. They shared thousands of kilometers, recording sessions, laughs, anecdotes, concerts and rehearsals. For a band of young white people who were crazy about the blues, it was an unbelievable experience they now want to remember in the album liner notes, paying tribute to an inimitable artist with an outstanding personality both on and out stage, with this recording Wolf Records has just released.

Seventeen songs that collect different stages of this charismatic bluesman, most of them backed by the King Bees with Rob Baskerville on guitar, Penny Zamagni on bass (both have written the album inner notes that include a good number of personal memories) and drummers Russ Wilso, Mike Rhoades and Bave Barbour. The album also has a couple of songs that count with the participation of Chick Willis and Nappy Brown.

Listening to the recording, one can immediately realize Jerry McCain was a true blues master with an overwhelming personality, who knew how to innovate and give a new life to the harmonica, as well as did other great harmonica players like Little Walter, George Smith and Walter Horton. GREAT.